/ 22 February 2014

ANC will never be defeated, says Mashatile

ANC Gauteng chairperson Paul Mashatile.
ANC Gauteng chairperson Paul Mashatile.

The ANC will never be defeated by another political party, said Gauteng chairperson Paul Mashatile on Saturday.

"The ANC won't be threatened by parties born yesterday," Mashatile told supporters at an ANC Youth League (ANCYL) election festival in Tembisa, east of Johannesburg.

"The ANC is here to stay … It's been here for 100 years and will continue to be here."

He urged young people to mobilise fellow residents and go and vote for the ANC.

Backyard revolution
Fellow speaker ANC national executive committee member Pule Mabe said Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema was running a backyard revolution.

"Malema's is a backyard revolution … he is a surrogate, a known demagogue," he told the crowd.

Mabe was a former ANCYL treasurer who worked with Malema when he was youth league leader.

He said Malema was a "commander of chancers".

"He calls himself a commander-in-chief, he is actually a commander of chancers … Floyd [Shivambu] is there to be sent to do whatever he wants done."

Shivambu, a former ANCYL spokesperson, was expelled from the party along with Malema.

Mabe said Malema was selfish, and his only claim to fame was his own existence.

"He said he was a cat … we know a cat has nine lives, but we know that a cat also loves cheese … it steals cheese."

Mabe said there was no future without the ANC.

Anger management
Another speaker at the ANCYL festival, Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula, said it was wrong to leave the ANC and form a political party out of anger.

"The ANC is not about positions … positions will go and the ANC will still be here," he said in an apparent jibe at Malema.

"The ANC is indestructible … the person who is going to defeat the ANC is not born yet."

He said Malema and his supporters were not going to frighten the ANC.

"Everyone with a brain is here. Cope [Congress of the People] tried and still cannot beat the ANC … now our very young brothers did the same … They should not say we didn't warn them."

Festivities
Earlier, ANC leaders enjoyed themselves dancing before addressing festivalgoers at the Makhulong stadium.

Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba and Mbalula, both former ANCYL leaders, Mashatile, Mabe, a former ANCYL treasure, and Ekurhuleni mayor Mondli Gungubele danced with musician Zahara as she performed on stage.

The crowd sang along to her popular song Mandela, which pays tribute to former president Nelson Mandela, who died in December.

The concert kicked off immediately after speakers addressed the supporters, who donned yellow ANC T-shirts handed out to them earlier.

DJ Blackcoffee, Dr Malinga, Uhuru, Solly Mahlangu, Candy, Busiswa, Solly Moholo and Big Nuz kept the crowds on their feet.​

The EFF was launching its election manifesto about a kilometre away from Makhulong stadium. – Sapa